Slopes of Change | A film by Molly Armanino

The mountains have always been a source of solace for skiers. For SCOTT athlete Molly Armanino, they were more than just peaks and powder—they were home. But after the tragic loss of her brother, Sam, the mountains felt foreign, even cruel. In Slopes of Change, Molly takes audiences on a raw and emotional journey through grief, resilience, and the pursuit of joy in skiing once more.

Chapter 1: Friendship 

Finding Strength in Connection Grief is a lonely road, but companionship can make the burden lighter. At the start of the season, Molly found herself searching for someone who truly understood her pain. She found that in McKenna Peterson, a freeride skiing icon with a similar story of loss. Their bond was unspoken yet profound— both navigating the emotional wreckage left by losing a loved one. “McKenna showed me that even in the darkest days, we can find joy” Molly reflects. Through shared turns and heartfelt conversations, McKenna helped Molly see that skiing wasn’t just about winning—it was about feeling alive.

Chapter 2: Failure 

The Harsh Reality of Competition Molly returned to the Freeride World Tour hoping that success on the comps could heal her heart. But the reality of competition proved different. “When we compete, we want to put it all on the line” says freeride legend Josh Daiek. But sometimes, putting it all on the line means losing it all. In a crucial moment in Georgia, standing at the start gate, Molly was weighed down by expectations and self-doubt. She pushed for a challenging line, a choice that ended in a crash—her dreams of making the finals slipping away in an instant. The raw emotion is palpable. “At that moment, I felt betrayed” she recalls. “Did the mountains fail me? Did I fail myself?” Author card: Molly Armanino Quote: “At that moment, I felt betrayed. Did the mountains fail me? Did I fail myself?”

Chapter 3: Return

Rebuilding a Love for Skiing After the heartbreak of competition, Molly needed to find skiing again—not as a means to an end, but as the passion that once brought her pure joy. Returning home, she let go of the pressure, the need to prove anything, and simply skied for the love of it. For the first time all season, she felt truly happy. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges that while the season was her hardest yet, it was also her most transformative. “The idea that there is hope for the future is an important message to get across” she says. As Slopes of Change concludes, a final tribute appears on screen: “In Loving Memory of Sam Armanino.” It’s a poignant reminder that healing isn’t about forgetting—it’s about finding a way forward, carrying the love and memories with you. Molly’s story is one of resilience, proving that even in the face of profound loss, the mountains still hold the power to heal. And sometimes, the most important lines we ski aren’t the ones for judges or cameras, but the ones we carve for ourselves.

Presented by SCOTT Sports, with support from ATK Bindings and Ridge Merino. Directed, filmed and edited by Roman Yalowitz